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Rabat – In a desperate attempt to salvage its reputation amid a widespread boycott sparked due to the Israeli Occupation Forces’ bloody war on Gaza, fast food giant McDonald’s has announced its decision to repurchase all its Israeli restaurants, according to AP.
The company has reached an agreement with its franchisee Alonyal to acquire 225 outlets across Israel, a move that will affect around 5,000 employees. The decision follows a period of declining sales since the onset of the war in October, exacerbated by controversies surrounding the franchisee’s support for Israeli soldiers.
The boycott gained traction worldwide, especially in the Middle East and North Africa and majority Muslim countries. Protests erupted in various countries, where demonstrators voiced their discontent against the chain.
Muslim-majority countries like Kuwait, Malaysia, and Pakistan issued statements distancing themselves from McDonald’s due to its support for Israel.
The boycott has severely affected the company’s sales, with McDonald’s Chief Financial Officer Ian Borden announcing financial losses of around 7 billion Euros.
In a statement, the company emphasized its commitment to the Israeli market and highlighted its intention to retain the restaurants, operations, and employees on equivalent terms. The terms of the sale between McDonald’s and Alonyal remain undisclosed.
“We thank Alonyal Limited for building the McDonald’s business and brand in Israel over the past 30 years. McDonald’s remains committed to the Israeli market and to ensuring a positive employee and customer experience in the market going forward,” said Jo Sempels, President of International Developmental Licensed Markets at McDonald’s.
In the wake of the immense criticism and backlash McDonald’s has received from its customers, the decision to repurchase the Israeli restaurants signifies an attempt to regain trust and restore its reputation in the Middle East market.
The fast food chain is one of many brands that were impacted by the boycott campaign over their support for the Israeli occupation. This includes Starbucks, Coca-Cola, Zara, among others.
